Jim Ross Reflects On WWE Having Interest In Kenta Kobashi

On a recent episode of his podcast, “Grilling JR,” Jim Ross discussed WWE having a strong interest in acquiring Japanese wrestling legend Kenta Kobashi. Kobashi never worked in WWE outside of a joint WWF/AJPW/NJPW show in 1990. He did work matches for a handful non-Japanese promotions though including ROH in 2005.

Ross noted that it would be impossible to overlook the talent of Kobashi’s caliber when they become available while looking at Kobashi’s match with Samoa Joe in ROH. Here are the highlights:

On WWE Being Interested in Kobashi

“Oh, yeah, absolutely. You can’t overlook great talent when they become available. If they’re healthy and the table’s somewhat level for this crazy business, you gotta look at them. So, heck, yeah, we looked at him.”

On Kobashi’s Availability Issues:

“But some of these established Japanese stars have such deep obligations and deep roots in Japan, it’s just hard to get many dates on them. And if you can’t follow up on the television that you invest in, it’s somewhat of a failed prophecy.”

On Whether Kobashi Would’ve Been a Success In WWE:

“Well, it would depend on who Kobashi was going to work with in WWE. If they had plans for him, it was going to use him in a main event-level scenario, then he’d be booked one way. If we [were] just going to bring him in, and we’re going to see if we get him over or whatever, and so it’s a half-assed effort, then it wouldn’t matter. Because he didn’t speak English that I’m aware of, at least much English. I might be wrong about that too. But yeah, he would have done good there.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Grilling JR podcast with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.